Psyllium drink mix compositions

ABSTRACT

Psyllium husk-containing drink mix compositions comprising small particle size psyllium husk and edible, water soluble salts. The edible, water soluble salts are present at a level sufficient to reduce the gellation rate of the psyllium husk when dispersed in an aqueous solution.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to psyllium husk-containing drink mix compositions comprising small particle size psyllium husk and edible, water soluble salts. The salt provides the benefit of reducing the gellation rate of the psyllium husk when dispersed in an aqueous solution. Preferred salts are neutral in flavor such that the drink mix composition is perceived by the consumer as being "unflavored".

Products containing psyllium seed husk are known (for example, Metamucil®, sold by The Procter & Gamble Company). Such products are useful for the benefit of normalizing bowel function and laxation. In addition, recent research has demonstrated the effectiveness of psyllium seed husk fiber in reducing human serum cholesterol levels and in controlling blood glucose levels in diabetics.

Psyllium seed husk contains natural mucillage. It forms a gellatinous mass on contact with water, and it exhibits poor dispersibility and mixability in water. Dispersibility and mixability of psyllium husk in aqueous solutions have been shown to be improved by utilizing higher levels of sugar, and by coating the husk with materials such as maltodextrin.

Once dispersed in the aqueous solution, the psyllium husk begins to gel with an accompanying increase in the viscosity of the drink solution. Typically, the consumer of the psyllium husk suspension drinks the liquid suspension in a relatively short period of time (less than about two minutes) in order to avoid having to drink an aesthetically unacceptable high viscosity liquid (i.e., the solution is considered too thick to enjoy drinking or difficult to drink). By reducing the psyllium husk particle size it is possible to eliminate the gritty texture of the psyllium husk yet maintain efficacy. However, the smaller the particle size of the psyllium husk, the more the rapid gellation rate is a consumer noticeable concern.

It is possible in one way to control the rate of gellation by using acids to reduce the pH of the drink mix solution. However, typical acids can impart too strong a flavor (e.g., a sour or bitter flavor, especially at higher levels which may be desired to maximize the reduction in gellation rate) to the solution, and this must be consistent with the flavor system being used. Obviously, such an acidic medium is not suitable for flavor systems which require neutral or basic conditions. Also, except in certain controlled circumstances, acids are not suited for use in unflavored systems.

For these reasons, there continues to be a need for small particle size psyllium husk drink mix compositions having reduced (slower) gellation rates. It has been discovered by the present invention that the gellation rate of small particle size psyllium husk drink mix compositions in an aqueous solution can be slowed by adding a sufficient amount of an edible, water soluble salt. This discovery is useful, for example, for allowing the use of less acid or no acid (to reduce or eliminate the acid characteristic of drink compositions), to permit a wider variety of flavor systems (including "unflavored" versions of psyllium husk-containing drink mix compositions), and to further reduce the gellation rate for compositions containing higher levels of acid.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide improved psyllium husk drink mix compositions having reduced gellation rates in aqueous solution and improved aesthetics. It is also an object to provide drink mix compositions which are unflavored or are not acid flavored systems.

These and other objects of the present invention will become readily apparent from the detailed description which follows.

All percentages and ratios used herein are by weight unless otherwise specified. Screen mesh sizes used herein are based on U.S. standards.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to psyllium husk-containing drink mix compositions. Such compositions comprise: (a) from about 10% to about 99% small particle size psyllium husk; (b) from about 0.1% to about 50% edible, water soluble salt at a level whereby the gellation rate of the psyllium-containing drink mix composition in an aqueous solution is reduced; and (c) from about 0% to about 90% carrier materials; and wherein further said composition is in a form mixable with a liquid to form a suspension of the psyllium husk.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The drink mix compositions of the present invention are psyllium-containing compositions in any form suitable for mixing with a liquid to form a psyllium husk suspension for oral consumption. Preferred form is a dry powder in bulk or unit dose form which readily mixes and disperses in the liquid. The components of the compositions according to the present invention, and representative amounts, are described in detail as follows.

Small Particle Size Psyllium Husk

The small particle size psyllium husk used in the present invention is from psyllium seeds, from plants of the Plantago genus. Various species such as Plantago lanceolate, P. rugelii, and P. major are known. Commercial psyllium husk include the French (black; Plantago indica), Spanish (P. psyllium) and Indian (blonde; P. ovata). Indian (blonde) psyllium husk is preferred for use herein. Also preferred is psyllium husk which is at least about 85% pure, more preferably at least about 90% pure, and most preferably at least about 95% pure.

The psyllium husk is obtained from the seed coat of the psyllium seeds. It is typical to remove the seed coat from the rest of the seed by, for example, slight mechanical pressure, and then to use only the seed coat. The seed coat is preferably removed and sanitized by methods known in the art. Preferred is sanitized psyllium seed husk having substantially intact cell structure, the sanitization having been accomplished by methods such as ethylene oxide sanitization and superheated steam sanitization (as taught in U.S. Pat. No. 4,911,889, issued Mar. 27, 1990 to Leland et. al., the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety).

The term "small particle size psyllium husk", as used herein, means that the psyllium husk utilized in compositions of the present invention have a substantial amount of small particle size psyllium husk such that the psyllium husk comprises psyllium husk particle sizes distributed such that more than about 90% is smaller than about 45 mesh. More preferably, more than about 80% is smaller than about 50 mesh, further preferred is more than about 80% is smaller than about 60 mesh and most preferably at least about 80% is smaller than about 80 mesh. Further preferred particle sizes are distributed as follows: less than about 25% larger than about 60 mesh, and at least about 40% smaller than about 80 mesh. More preferred are particle size distribution of: less than about 10% larger than about 60 mesh, at least about 40% within the range of from about 80 mesh to about 200 mesh, and less than about 50% smaller than about 200 mesh. Particle sizes and particle size distributions may be readily determined by one of ordinary skill in the art, for example by sieving using an Alpine Laboratory Air Jet Sieve, Type 200 LS (sold by Alpine American Corp., Natick Mass.).

The drink mix compositions preferably contain from about 10% to about 99%, more preferably from about 20% to about 90%, most preferably from about 25% to about 75%, of psyllium husk.

Edible, Water Soluble Salts

The term "edible, water soluble salts" as used herein, means any salt material, organic or inorganic, which is soluble in water (under normal use conditions for a psyllium-containing drink mix composition) and having a pKa of greater than about 5, and which is safe for ingestion by humans. Examples of edible, water soluble salts include magnesium sulfate, calcium chloride, calcium sulfate, potassium chloride, sodium chloride, potassium sulfate, sodium sulfate, zinc chloride, zinc sulfate, potassium sorbate, and mixtures thereof. Preferred are the salts of divalent cations (e.g. calcium, magnesium, zinc) and especially those salts of strong inorganic acids (e.g., magnesium sulfate, calcium sulfate, calcium chloride, zinc sulfate, zinc chloride, and mixtures thereof).

It is necessary for the purposes of the present invention for the amount of the the edible, water soluble salt to be present in an amount sufficient to reduce the gellation rate of the drink mix composition relative to the compositions without the added salt. This is especially important for salts of certain organic acids which at certain levels can have the unwanted effect of increasing the gellation rate (i.e., make the solution thicker, faster), but when used at other levels may provide the desired benefit of reducing the gellation rate according to the present invention. This effect is exemplified in the examples provided hereinafter.

Determination of whether the level of salt present in the psyllium husk-containing composition is a level whereby the gellation rate of the psyllium-containing drink mix composition in an aqueous solution is reduced, as required by the present invention, is readily made by simple experimentation, e.g. by comparing the rate of viscosity increase for a composition containing the salt versus the composition containing the same components but not the edible, water soluble salt. If the rate of gellation is slowed by the addition of the amount of salt used, a sufficient level of the salt(s) as taught by the present invention is present. Methods and equipment for measuring gellation rates and viscosity of liquids are known, and such measurements and determinations can easily be made by one skilled in the art. For example, the Brinkman Viscometer may be used as is exemplified hereinafter.

Compositions of the present invention therefore may comprise from about 0.1% to about 50% edible, water soluble salts, preferably from about 0.1% to about 20%, and more preferably from about 0.5% to about 5% by weight of the drink mix composition.

Optional Carrier Materials

Optional carrier materials useful for the compositions of the present invention must be safe for oral administration to humans, and may be chosen by one of ordinary skill in the art as appropriate for the drink mix form and use intended for the product. Psyllium-containing drink mix products, methods for making, and carrier materials useful for these products, are described more fully, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 4,459,280, to Colliopoulos et al., issued Jul. 10, 1984; U.S. Pat. No. 4,548,806, to Colliopoulos et al., issued Oct. 22, 1985; U.S. Pat. No. 4,321,263, to Powell et al., issued Mar. 23, 1982; and U.S. Pat. No. 4,828,842, to Furst et al., issued May 9, 1989; all of which are incorporated by reference herein in their entirety. The drink mix compositions of the present invention comprise from about 0% to about 90%, preferably from about 10% to about 80%, and more preferably from about 25% to about 75%, of carrier materials.

Most preferred are products of the present invention in dry powder form suitable for mixing in a liquid to form a psyllium-containing drink. Preferred carrier materials for such powder forms are known and are also described in detail, for example, in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,459,280 and 4,548,806, incorporated hereinbefore by reference. Preferred are such powders (preferably sugar free) comprising maltodextrin. Also especially preferred are powders comprising agglomerates of psyllium and/or coated psyllium, especially agglomerated with maltodextrin and/or sucrose.

Agglomerating materials preferred for use herein are therefore known. These agglomerating materials include those selected from the group consisting of water dispersible hydrolyzed starch oligosaccharide, mono-saccharide, di-saccharide, polyglucose, polymaltose, and mixtures thereof. Compositions of the present invention preferably comprise from about 0.5% to about 20% of agglomerating material coating on said psyllium husk, preferably from about 1% to about 10%, and more preferably from about 1% to about 5%.

Hydrolysis of starch may be accomplished by a reaction of either acid, enzymes (e.g., alpha-amylase, beta-amylase or amyloglucosidase), or a combination of the two either together or reacted in series. The hydrolysis will follow different pathway depending on whether acids or enzymes are used. The result is a mixture of oligosaccharides which may be separated for their different properties. The resulting separated water dispersible (preferably soluble) hydrolyzed starch oligosaccharides are classified by their reducing sugar content, i.e., the mono- or di-saccharides such as glucose or fructose. The percent reducing sugar content in the particular hydrolyzed starch oligosaccharide is measured on a weight/weight basis as the Dextrose Equivalent (or "D.E."). Hydrolyzed starch oligosaccharides with a D.E. of from 0 to 20 are called maltodextrins. The solid maltodextrins have low to moderate sweetness, low to moderate hygroscopicity, solubility in water and alcohol, and have reduced browning. Above a D.E. of about 20 the hydrolyzed starch oligosaccharides are called syrup solids. The syrup solids are soluble but have a more noticeable sweetness and are more hydroscopic. Above a D.E. of about 30, the syrup solids become less desirable for use herein. A preferred water dispersible hydrolyzed starch oligosaccharide therefore has a D.E. of from about 0 to about 30. A preferred maltodextrin has a D.E. of from about 5 to about 20, more preferably about 10 (i.e., a reducing sugar content ratio of 10% w/w of the oligosaccharide).

The mono-saccharides are those carbohydrates that in general are aldehyde-alcohols or ketone alcohols that are a hexose or pentose and have a sweet taste. They are readily soluble in water and form crystalline solids. Examples of the di-saccharides are those carbohydrates which yield two mono-saccharides on hydrolysis. Examples of di-saccharides are lactose, sucrose and maltose.

Preferred compositions of the present invention comprise as part or all of the optional carrier material an edible acid. The term "edible acids", as used herein, means any water soluble acid material having a pK_(a) of less than about 5, preferably within the range of from about 2 to about 5, and is safe for ingestion by humans. Examples of edible acids include, but are not limited to, citric acid, ascorbic acid, malic acid, succinic acid, tartaric acid, phosphoric acid, monopotassium phosphate and mixtures thereof. Preferred are ascorbic acid, phosphoric acid, malic acid, and citric acid, with citric acid being most preferred.

The compositions of the present invention typically comprise from about 0.1% to about 25% edible acid, preferably from about 0.1% to about 10%, and more preferably from about 0.1% to about 5%. Also preferred are compositions containing less than about 2% edible acid, more preferably less than about 1% edible acid, and most preferably less than about 0.5% edible acid.

Preferred compositions of the present invention are those which have some or all of the edible acid coated on the psyllium husk, and further preferably such that the psyllium husk is agglomerated. Preferred single layer coating of the psyllium husk is achieved by utilizing equipment (referred to herein as single pass fluidizing powder wetting apparatus) which operates preferably by dropping a dry blend psyllium-containing material through a highly turbulent annular zone formed by a cylindrical wall and a rotating shaft with variously pitched attached blades. An edible acid-containing solution is preferably sprayed into this zone to contact a dry psyllium-containing blend. The resulting coated, preferably agglomerated, psyllium husk is dropped to a fluid bed dryer where the added solvent is removed. An example of this equipment is the Bepex Turboflex Model No. TFX-4 (sold by Bepex Corporation; Minneapolis, Minnesota) with a six square foot bed vibrating fluid bed dryer (sold by Witte Corporation, Inc.; Washington, N.J.).

The psyllium-containing blend preferably comprises from about 25% to about 100% of psyllium. Optional components for the psyllium-containing blend include, but are not limited to, edible acid, sweetening agents (preferably low calorie sweetening agents), coloring agents, agglomerating materials (especially maltodextrin), dietary fibers such as brans (e.g., wheat bran; oat bran; rice bran) and/or pharmaceutical agents (e.g., aspirin; non-steroidal antiinflammatories; sennosides). Some or all of the edible, water soluble salt may also be included in the psyllium-containing blend. As noted hereinbefore, it is preferred that the psyllium-containing blend be dry, but it is possible to utilize suitable solvents (e.g., alcohols and/or water) if one is careful, especially if water is utilized, not to cause substantial hydration and swelling of the psyllium, since this is expected to adversely affect the rate at which psyllium husk can interact with water or other fluids.

The solution mixture preferably comprises one or more edible acids to be sprayed onto the psyllium-containing blend along with also preferably comprising some or all of the edible, water soluble salt. This may be prepared by selecting a liquid (e.g., alcohol and/or water) as appropriate for the materials being coated onto the psyllium husk. However, it is preferred that water be utilized. Preferred is also spraying the solution mixture onto a dry psyllium-containing blend. Preferably, when a spraying technique is used, the solution mixture is an aqueous solution comprising from about 1% to about 50% (preferably from about 10% to about 25%) of the edible, water soluble salt and also from about 0% to about 50% (preferably from about 1% to about 20%) of edible acid. It is also optionally possible to repeat the coating and drying steps, thereby building up a coating on the psyllium husk which comprises several thin layers of the materials. In addition, other optional materials may be present in the solution mixture, such as coloring agents, pharmaceutical agents, and mixtures thereof.

Other methods for preparing compositions according to the present invention include dry blending the ingredients and other means of multiple layer coating of the psyllium husk. The latter may be accomplished by using, for example, fluid bed agglomerating equipment such as the Fluid Air, Inc. Model 0300 Granulator-Dryer.

Further, it is to be recognized that while the preferred drink mix compositions of the present invention are unflavored, it is possible to include with such preferred compositions sweetening agents, preferred being low calorie sweetening agents including, but not limited to, aspartame, saccharin, cyclamate, acesulfame, and mixtures thereof. Further, it is possible to use the present compositions as reduced flavor or non-flavored base formulations to make flavored compositions by adding flavoring agents, especially when the flavoring system is such that it is not compatible (chemically or aesthetically) with an acidic composition.

Method of Treatment

The present invention also relates to a method for providing laxation and regulating bowel function for a human in need of such treatment. This method comprises administering to a human in need of such treatment a safe and effective amount of a psyllium-containing composition of the present invention. Ingestion of from about 2.5 grams to about 30 grams per day of the psyllium fiber in a composition according to the present invention is appropriate in most circumstances to produce laxation. However, this can vary with the size and condition of the patient, and such matters will, of course, be apparent to the attending physician. However, since the psyllium material is nontoxic, even higher ingestion levels can be used without undue side effects. A typical dose for laxation purposes involves administering from about 3 to about 15 grams of psyllium fiber in one dose.

The present invention further relates to methods for reducing serum cholesterol levels in humans. These methods comprise orally administering to a human in need of having a lowered blood cholesterol level a safe and effective amount of an aqueous liquid suspension of a psyllium-containing composition of the present invention. Ingestion of compositions of the present invention comprising amounts sufficient to administer from about 2.5 grams to about 30 grams per day of psyllium fiber, preferably from about 5 grams to about 15 grams, is appropriate in most circumstances. However, this can vary with the size and condition of the patient, and the patient's blood cholesterol level. Such matters will, of course, be apparent to the attending physician. However, since the psyllium material is nontoxic, even higher ingestion levels can be used without undue side effects, keeping in mind the materials herein have the hereinbefore noted laxative effect.

Treatment of the patient to reduce serum cholesterol levels comprises chronic ingestion in order to lower and maintain the lowered cholesterol levels. Daily ingestion is preferred, and a daily ingestion of from about 5 grams to about 15 grams of the psyllium fiber is most commonly used, with said ingestion preferably being at 2 or 3 regularly spaced intervals throughout the day. Again, depending on the patient's size and cholesterol level in the patient's blood, this can be varied.

The following examples further describe and demonstrate embodiments within the scope of the present invention. These examples are given solely for the purpose of illustration and are not to be construed as limitations of the present inventions as many variations thereof are possible without departing from the spirit and scope.

EXAMPLE 1

    ______________________________________                                         Components       Weight %                                                      ______________________________________                                         Psyllium.sup.1)  56.73                                                         Maltrin.sup.2)   40.72                                                         Magnesium Sulfate                                                                                2.20                                                         Citric Acid       0.35                                                         ______________________________________                                          .sup.1) Psyllium husk of particle size 100% through 80 mesh.                   .sup.2) Maltodextrin                                                     

This psyllium drink mix composition according to the present invention is prepared by agglomerating by spraying a dry blend of the psyllium husk and maltrin with an aqueous solution of magnesium sulfate and citric acid in a single pass agglomerator (as described in detail in European Patent Publication No. 412,604, published Feb. 13, 1991, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety) and subsequently dried in a fluidized bed dryer. Consumption of one teaspoon of this composition as a suspension in 8 ounces of water is effective for providing laxation for a patient in need of such benefit.

EXAMPLE 2

To evaluate the value of adding various levels of edible, water soluble salts, the following comparative testing was conducted to evaluate the rate of viscosity increase for small particle size psyllium husk suspended in water. The suspensions were prepared using the following components:

    ______________________________________                                                  Weight % [anhydrous.sup.e) ]                                                   Suspension #:                                                                  1    2.sup.d)                                                                              3      4    5    6    7                                   ______________________________________                                         pysllium.sup.a)                                                                           76.59  75.70  76.65                                                                               76.59                                                                               75.71                                                                               76.59                                                                               75.88                             maltrin.sup.b)                                                                            11.69  11.55   9.39                                                                               23.41                                                                               23.14                                                                               19.50                                                                               11.62                             citric acid.sup.c)                                                                        11.72  11.59  11.69                                                                               --   --   --   11.58                             potassium citrate                                                                         --      1.16   2.27                                                                               --    1.15                                                                                3.91                                                                               --                                MgSO.sub.4 --     --     --   --   --   --    0.92                             ______________________________________                                          .sup.a) 100% smaller than about 80 mesh.                                       .sup.b) maltodextrin                                                           .sup.c) Citric acid, 149.5 g of 1% aqueous citric acid (by weight), was        first diluted with water to give a total weight of 480 g.                      .sup.d) This suspension closely approximates the suspension of Example 2       in European Patent Application No. 362,926, published April 11, 1990,          incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.                              .sup.e) Water was used for the suspensions to provide 480 g of solution,       either 480 g of water or 480 g of a water/citric acid solution.          

A dry blend of all the components (except for citric acid which was predissolved in the water) was added to the water with 15 seconds of mixing in a blender. The resulting suspension was immediately poured into a 600 ml beaker, and the viscosity of the suspensions was measured using a Brinkman Viscometer (Model #RVT; Spindle 1; 10 RPM). The viscosity of the suspension at various times were as follows:

    ______________________________________                                         Suspension #:                                                                  Time    1      2      3    4     5     6     7                                 (seconds)                                                                              Viscosity (centipoise)                                                 ______________________________________                                          60      92     96     83    543   601   643  80                                90     230    248    225    903 >1000   993 212                               120     375    422    377  >1000 >1000 >1000 348                               150     545    617    553  >1000 >1000 >1000 512                               ______________________________________                                    

The results of these measurements demonstrate that low levels of certain organic acid salts (such as the 1.14% potassium citrate described in Example 2 of European Patent Publication No. 362,926, published Apr. 11, 1990) may increase the gellation rate of small particle size psyllium suspensions (No's 2 and 5 compared with No's 1 and 4 respectively), but at other levels as taught by the present invention the gellation rate is decreased (No. 3 compared with No. 1). Further, it is to be noted that it is possible by addition of salts as taught by the present invention to further reduce the gellation rate even for compositions containing high levels of acid (No's 3 and 7 compared to No. 1). 

What is claimed is:
 1. A psyllium husk-containing drink mix composition comprising:(a) from about 10% to about 99% small particle size psyllium husk having particle sizes distributed such that more than about 90% are smaller than about 45 mesh; (b) from about 0.1% to about 50% edible, water soluble salt at a level whereby the gellation rate of the psyllium-containing drink mix composition in an aqueous solution is reduced; and (c) from about 0% to about 90% carrier material;and wherein further said composition is in a form mixable with a liquid to form a suspension of the psyllium husk.
 2. The composition according to claim 1 wherein the edible, water soluble salt is selected from the group consisting of magnesium sulfate, calcium chloride, calcium sulfate, potassium chloride, sodium chloride, potassium sulfate, sodium sulfate, zinc chloride, zinc sulfate, potassium sorbate, and mixtures thereof.
 3. The composition according to claim 1 wherein the carrier material comprises from about 0.1% to about 25% edible acid by weight of the composition.
 4. The composition according to claim 2 wherein the carrier material comprises from about 0.1% to about 25% edible acid by weight of the composition.
 5. The composition according to claim 4 wherein the edible acid is selected from the group consisting of citric acid, ascorbic acid, malic acid, succinic acid, tartaric acid, phosphoric acid, monopotassium phosphate, and mixtures thereof.
 6. The composition according to claim 1 wherein the psyllium husk comprises particle sizes distributed such that at least about 80% are smaller than about 50 mesh.
 7. A psyllium husk-containing drink mix composition comprising:(a) from about 20% to about 90% small particle size psyllium husk having particle sizes distributed such that more than about 80% is smaller than about 60 mesh; (b) from about 0.1% to about 20% edible, water soluble salt at a level whereby the gellation rate of the psyllium-containing drink mix composition in an aqueous solution is reduced; and (c) from about 10% to about 80% carrier material;and wherein further said composition is in a form mixable with a liquid to form a suspension of the psyllium husk.
 8. The composition according to claim 7 wherein the edible, water soluble salt is selected from the group consisting of magnesium sulfate, calcium chloride, calcium sulfate, potassium chloride, sodium chloride, potassium sulfate, sodium sulfate, zinc chloride, zinc sulfate, potassium sorbate, and mixtures thereof.
 9. The composition according to claim 7 wherein the carrier material comprises from about 0.1% to about 10% edible acid by weight of the composition.
 10. The composition according to claim 9 wherein the carrier material comprises less than about 2% edible acid by weight of the composition.
 11. The composition according to claim 8 wherein the carrier material comprises from about 0.1% to about 10% edible acid selected from citric acid, phosphoric acid, and mixtures thereof.
 12. The composition according to claim wherein the carrier material comprises less than about 1% edible acid by weight of the composition.
 13. A method for providing laxation for humans, said method comprising orally administering to a human in need of laxation a safe and effective amount of a liquid suspension of the psyllium husk-containing composition according to claim
 1. 14. A method for providing laxation for humans, said method comprising orally administering to a human in need of laxation a safe and effective amount of a liquid suspension of the psyllium husk-containing composition according to claim
 5. 15. A method for providing laxation for humans, said method comprising orally administering to a human in need of laxation a safe and effective amount of a liquid suspension of the psyllium husk-containing composition according to claim
 7. 16. A method for providing laxation for humans, said method comprising orally administering to a human in need of laxation a safe and effective amount of a liquid suspension of the psyllium husk-containing composition according to claim
 12. 17. A method for reducing serum cholesterol levels in humans, said method comprising orally administering to a human in need of such treatment a safe and effective amount of a liquid suspension of the psyllium husk-containing composition according to claim
 1. 18. A method for reducing serum cholesterol levels in humans, said method comprising orally administering to a human in need of such treatment a safe and effective amount of a liquid suspension of the psyllium husk-containing composition according to claim
 5. 19. A method for reducing serum cholesterol levels in humans, said method comprising orally administering to a human in need of such treatment a safe and effective amount of a liquid suspension of the psyllium husk-containing composition according to claim
 7. 20. A method for reducing serum cholesterol levels in humans, said method comprising orally administering to a human in need of such treatment a safe and effective amount of a liquid suspension of the psyllium husk-containing composition according to claim
 12. 